I was on a video call recently where I had my webcam turned on but the other person did not and I couldn’t help but feel like Clarice in Silence of the Lambs.
You know at the end when Clarice is fumbling through the dark and the serial killer is watching her with night vision goggles?
So I was Clarice and the other person was the serial killer lurking in the dark.
They could see me but I couldn’t see them, I didn’t know where they were or what they were doing.
Not saying the other person is a serial killer I’m just saying I could see a parallel.
Not having your webcam on is a literal form of hiding.
I think the fact that others can’t see you is the reason people do it.
When your webcam is on, you have to be seen to be paying attention. You can’t be walking around the room or obviously be on your phone. You have to be part of the conversation now.
If your webcam is off the obligation to show interest in the conversation is loosened. You can listen and throw a ball against the wall or doodle on your notebook or whatever you like.
I don’t think it’s a lack of confidence not turning on one’s camera but a lack of feeling obliged to.
A boss can’t make their employees turn on their camera, they can’t write it into a contract and so many people choose not to show their face on work calls.
Alternatively I think it’s rare for someone to not show their face on a personal video call. When it’s all friends and family on the call you don’t feel like you ‘have to’ turn on your camera you are happy to.
Thomas Duggan 